File No. 851.48/29
The Chargé in Great Britain ( Laughlin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7 p.m.]
2779. For Hoover [from Poland]:
C.R.B. 129. Monday. Please advise New York. Have just returned from France after having conferences with French and Belgian Governments and Red Cross regarding ravitaillement of released territories. Advised Governments that our attitude is, while willing to assist in every possible way, we should relinquish all ravitaillement as soon as French and Belgian Administrations are able to handle it. Governments however desire us to continue for present wherever possible to assist in feeding released region, finally relinquishing to Governments several months hence when they are better organized. Have requested Belgian and French Governments to consult and determine exact course they wish followed to meet emergency, strongly recommending at least 50,000 tons balanced rations be accumulated at Channel ports or strategical points behind lines to meet sudden demands sure to come. Has been suggested Commission deliver such emergency supplies at Channel ports which I have agreed to provided Governments make necessary arrangements for the additional ships and food required, and it is understood our responsibilities end there, distribution being undertaken by French and Belgian authorities. This food would not be imported under German safe-conducts. This tentative arrangement to be temporary and Flanders and French cities to be again fed via Ghent when possible. Brown1 under date of 11th advises:
Von der Lancken informed Francqui on 9th that he expected Germans would leave Brussels within 15 days proposing to turn over civil administration of evacuated Belgium temporarily to Comite National. Also no breaches of guarantees up to the present. Evacuation difficulties of Lille and West Flanders have caused some stoppage of lighters which are now being concentrated at Antwerp, Brussels, Louvain, and Mons. Shipments forward being made as necessary. On October 5, Labbé reported four weeks’ stocks of bread grains in Lille and other principal stocks largely in same proportion. Situation apparently well in hand. All possible steps being taken to meet or anticipate rapidly changing conditions.
In case of partial evacuation of France and Flanders we have advised Rotterdam that every effort be made to continue to feed liberated people via Terneuzen Canal and Ghent. Endeavoring to arrange with German authorities that distribution from our supplies [Page 488] imported under safe-conducts be made to civil population under neutral supervision outside as at present inside. Our Rotterdam office has been instructed to feed French or Belgian refugees arriving in Holland, estimated at perhaps one-quarter million. These are now approaching Dutch frontier. In case of peaceful evacuation by Germans this movement into Holland can probably be stopped. We have authorized our representatives in Brussels and Rotterdam to make out of Relief supplies or funds in Belgium or Holland whatever expenditures may be urgently required for providing coal, clothing, shelter, food, for refugees wherever they may be. If the evacuation is forced by combat we believe that the food reserves will be practically eliminated in the released territories and that few persons will remain, certainly not over 25 per cent, and that the evacuées into still occupied territory or Holland, numbering several millions, will be dependent entirely upon imports. This will require increased monthly imports [for] them of about one-third to replace lost native ration, or if France and Flanders entirely evacuated and devastated would require 10,000 tons additional imports of food per month. Situation changing rapidly and we will keep you advised of developments. Necessary to foresee that when civil population now receiving 2,000 calories is released from enemy domination they will demand same food supply as people of France and England, namely, 3,000 calories, which would require increase of food imports of 55,000 to 65,000 tons monthly. In conference with management of Red Cross in France I stated we expected they would handle local charitable emergency requirements of released territories. This seems provided for in Belgium but the position as to civil relief in France by Red Cross not entirely defined [owing] to overwhelming demands of military situation. I have been asked to consult with Red Cross management as to conduct of charitable work in released territories and have said C.R.B. always glad to furnish advice but without any official connection. Detailed reports by letter. Am having report from Doctor Leach of ravitaillement conditions during last year, etc., in released territories, St. Mihiel, St. Quentin, Cambrai, and Roulers. Poland, Relief Commission.
- Walter L. Brown, Director of C.R.B. at Rotterdam.↩